Missouri Senate

House Committee Substitute

MERCURY IMMUNIZATIONS - Under the act, after April 1, 2007, any immunizations administered to knowingly pregnant women or children under three years of age or pregnant women shall not contain more than 1 microgram of mercury per 0.5-milliliter dose.

Beginning April 1, 2007, insurers, health service corporations, or health maintenance organizations who provide coverage for immunizations on a fee schedule or a percentage reimbursement basis shall reimburse at the same rate for immunizations not containing mercury.

The Director of the Department of Health and Senior Services shall exempt the use of a vaccine from compliance with this act if the director finds, and the governor concurs, that an actual or potential public health emergency exists, including an epidemic, outbreak or shortage for which there does not exist a sufficient supply of vaccine that complies this act that would prevent knowingly pregnant or children less than three years of age from receiving the vaccine. The director shall determine the duration of such exemption.

NEWBORN SCREENING - This act provides that newborn screening requirements are not limited to disorders and conditions specified in current law.

HEPATITIS C INFORMATION - This act requires healthcare employers to make certain information available to their employees on the risk of exposure to hepatitis C, including availability of testing, cost, and protocol for accidental exposure.

The department shall maintain a "Missouri Hepatitis C" Internet website and provide information on the disease and on support groups in Missouri. The website must also contain links providing information on the disease.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SENIOR SERVICES FUNDS - This also act creates the Department of Health and Senior Services Administrative and Cost Allocation Fund and the Department of Health and Senior Services Disaster Fund.

The act specifies that the administrative and cost allocation fund will receive funding by appropriations, deposits, and moneys transferred or paid to the department in return for goods and services provided.

The disaster fund will be used during a state of emergency at the direction of the Governor to furnish immediate aid and relief.

As to both funds, the State Treasurer will serve as custodian and the department director will serve as administrator. Also, moneys in these funds will not lapse to general revenue at the end of the biennium, and all interest earned will be deposited into the funds.

This act also provides that any interest earned on the Missouri Public Health Services Fund shall accrue to the fund.

BIRTH AND DEATH CERTIFICATES - This act also modifies the birth and death certificate provisions. This act provides that a birth certificate shall be filed within five days of birth and certify the place, time, and date of the live birth by a signature or an electronic process approved by the Department of Health and Senior Services. Current law provides that the certificate be filed within seven days of birth. Also, when a medical certification is filed in order to obtain a death certificate, it must be attested to by either a signature or an electronic process approved by the department.

ADRIANE CROUSE